silverados have a block heater????

found a 120ac standard power plug and cord ziptied to my frame underneath the PCM. is this a block heater? i was going to plug it in to see, but with my luck its some computer thing.

The block heater is an option on all Silverados, I think.

Absolutely, I have one on mine and I use it quite frequently as it lessons the amount of time I have to let my vehicle warm up.

Hey, it's not that cold out on the West Coast. We experience the same weather that Seattle does and my truck sits in the garage to boot. :nutkick:

Just kidding, it's just handy is all.

LOL, Fer sure :werd:

I don't know if i have a coolant heater,what does Pcm stand for?

Yes it is most likely a block heater. I live in Winnipeg and you needed one on those here in feb last year.... -55c without the windchill

I don't know if i have a coolant heater,what does Pcm stand for?
--pcm is programable control modual or in short computer!

When I bought my truck I found the same plug Zip tied to a mount in the front bumper, during the summer I pull it up and tie it to the Brace above the battery, and in the winter I zip tie it to my front drivers side tow hook, easy location to plug in. Im happy I have it, here in New England it gets Below 0 in Jan. and Feb. It cuts down on the time it takes my truck to warm up :thumbsup:
-Jimmy

how long can you leave it plugged in? :eek7:

As long as you need. I can't think of any length of time limit on leaving it plugged in. It doesn't draw any kind of serious current and doesn't harm your vehicle. I've left mine on for a period of 38 hours with no problems.

depending on how cold it is, anywhere from 2-4 hrs is good enough.

Why would you want to leave it on for such a short period of time? :eek7:
I think being able to come home and just plug it in and leave it on for the night is a big bonus. Then when you wake up in the morning your truck is warm and ready to go.

you can leave your truck plugged in for as long as you want till the next time you use it! 2-4 hr's does you no good if you un-plug it then un plug befor you go to bed?i dont think that's what kenny means, now if you plug it in the morn a couple hr's may do all it does is keep the coolant warm in the block this will prevent freezing and blowing a frost plug on your block, trust me i lived in sudbury ontario for 25 yr's and seen -30 to -75 with wind chill, this will also help the oil to flow better on start up and defrost the window'a quicker because the coolant is already warm so you can crank the heat right away. you can also drive away faster with out having to wait for it to warm up.

Why would you want to leave it on for such a short period of time? :eek7:
I think being able to come home and just plug it in and leave it on for the night is a big bonus. Then when you wake up in the morning your truck is warm and ready to go.

Is that rough on the motor at All??? always being warm? I live in michigan so its not THAT cold but it would be nice to have it warm......

Is that rough on the motor at All??? always being warm? I live in michigan so its not THAT cold but it would be nice to have it warm......


No I don't think it's rough on the engine. If anything it should be better for it. Warmer starts, probably makes the oil life last longer as well.
It's just nice to get in, hit the heat and you have it. I wish my carpool location had an A/C Outlet, so I could plug it in when I leave my truck there.

I leave mine plugged in overnight, Like Chuck said its a bonus to have heat even if you dont have time for your truck to warm up.

-Jimmy

I still haven't found one of my truck. Can you help with better location description. 2002 silverado. Thanks

after about 4 hrs the block heater has heated the coolant up about as much as it will..... leaving it longer won't make that much of a difference. Besides i do plug it in when i get home...... it is just on a timer that kicks on at about 3am

Thats kind of a neat idea to have it on a Timer; certainly save a tad bit of energy.

Kenny1907=Genius, Im going to Lowes tonight to pick up one of those outlets with the 24hr timers included, I will wire it in to my garage on Saturday.
Thanks for the idea! :thumbsup:
-Jimmy